Messi’s steps in Lima: from his first international title to seeking his first goal against Peru in the Qualifiers to achieve a record

. We were, then, witnesses of the first steps of the Rosario genius. And also from his display of bravery. Before sticking needles at night to continue his treatment, Leo recovered from poisoning only by taking a rehydrating agent. He then scored seven goals in the semifinal and a hat trick in the final to win the Friendship Cup organized by the Cantolao Academy.

That was the first Messi that set foot in Lima. Later he returned with his national team to face qualifying duels and for a charity match in 2013 with his friend. Neymarbaptized Duel de Gigantes, whose objective was to raise funds to benefit children and adolescents in Peru.

He Peru vs. Argentina This Tuesday will possibly be Lionel’s last in Lima for a qualifying match. And he has a special seasoning: if he manages to score, not only will he do so for the first time against Bicolor in the tournament, but he would also become the all-time scorer of the contest. At this moment he is tied in 29 celebrations with the Uruguayan Luis Suarez.

In fact, of the 104 goals that ‘Pulga’ has scored with the Albiceleste, only one was against our team: in the 2007 Copa América played in Venezuela.

In that Copa América, Leo debuted at 20 years and exactly four days old. He had already won a U20 World Cup and played one in the senior category. He had also scored four goals (three in friendlies and one in Germany 2006). But he was still “the young promise” who was rushing to become a reality. With Alfio Basile as coach, Juan Román Riquelme was the figure, although many turned to look at his short hair with long hair.

After a group stage in which he was unable to score or assist, Messi faced Peru in the quarterfinals. Uribe put up a 5-3-2 formation with the aim of stopping the Argentine attack, but the defense made up of Villamarín, Villalta, Acasiete, Galliquio and Vílchez could do little. The ‘Albiceleste’ won comfortably 4-0 at the Metropolitano de Fútbol stadium in Lara.

Walter Vílchez tried to block the shot, but it didn’t come. With the ’18’ on his back, the now captain of Argentina was an extreme and liked to step into the area.

Almost three decades after his first visit, Peru will see the last Messi in its lands, this time as the king with a golden crown after winning the only trophy he was missing in Qatar, in December of last year, to place himself at the top of the history of football.

Messi in search of his first celebration to surpass his friend Luis Suárez

Lionel Messi He has 29 goals in the six editions of the Qualifiers he played. Nobody has scored more times than him, although his great friend, the Uruguayan Luis Suárez, has the same number of celebrations. But the man from Rosario has a thorn in his side that he wants to get rid of. So far only two teams can puff up their chests and say that they are not their victims when it comes to the Qualifiers: Brazil and Peru.

The ‘Pulga’ faced the Bicolor seven times in the qualifiers. And although he never lost (four wins and three draws), he has not been able to celebrate a goal either.

Tuesday will be the eighth duel. But the contexts are different from the previous ones. This time, Messi He arrives accompanied by the best Argentine team in many decades, as world champion, although without the physique of before. He will possibly start the game on the bench and have minutes in the second half. Meanwhile, in front will be a beaten, criticized and fearful Peru that has not been able to finish on goal in the first three games.

If he scores, Leo will surpass Suarez and will become the all-time scorer of the Qualifiers. This way he could close the perfect circle of his time in Lima: from winning his first international title at the age of nine to breaking another record.